LUVTruck.com

Hey all,
I'm an avid ATV enthusiast who has recently found himself without a hauler. I'm also a big fan of classic cars and owner of a 79 Trans Am. I used to have a Dodge Ram that served as my daily driver/four wheeler transport, but price gouging at the gas pump forced me to get rid of it in favor of something that gets double the fuel economy. Problem is, my new car doesn't have enough oomph to pull a 700 pound quad and a trailer.

So I'm thinking about combining my love of classic vehicles with my need for a truck by seeking out a vintage hauler. I really like the look of the LUV's, but I have some concerns....

1. Where do you find one that's not totally rusted out? Heck - where do you find one PERIOD. I've only ever seen one in the Northeast Ohio area, and it was pretty well shot, but then again I was never really looking before.

2. Parts availability. Just how difficult or easy is it to find parts for these things, especially body panels. Anyone in the aftermarket producing sheet metal?

3. Can it handle a 700 pound quad, gear, spare gas, and two passengers?

4. Anyone glued the front clip of an LUV onto an early model S10? I know it sounds silly, but i've seen this type of swap done with full size trucks. Theres a body shop up the street from me that customized a 92 C1500 by putting the front end of a '50's something GMC onto it. I would think if you like the looks of an LUV but want the parts availability of an S10 it would be a viable option.

Thanks for humoring me!

well if your in or around where they use salt on the roads, LUVs will be rusty. Theres not anyone that i know of making new body pannels so your kinda done in the respect. As far as mechanical parts, they are still perty easy to get stuff for as 99% of thier parts interchange with 81-84 Isuzu pickups and SUVs. As far as hauling stuff, youll find HP is definetly lacking (85hp and 95tq) but with a few upgradeds (weber carb header and a good exsaust) and it will do decent. These trucks are no power houses but i have towed 3Klbs with mine before and was able to maintain 60mph. All in all Isuzu made a fine peice of machienery with these trucks. Good luck on the search!

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...